Self-propelled earth excavating and leveling apparatus



p 1969 F. w. MORRISON ET SELF'PRQPELLED EARTH EXCAVATING AND LEVELINGAPPARATUS Filed Sept. 16, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Frank W.Morr'iso'n JerryE Morrlson BY INVENTORS E EN Q E Nu E 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F. W. MORRISON ETAL SELF'PROPELLED EARTH EXCAVATING AND LEVELING APPARATUS FrankWMorr'ison BY INVENTORS 42W Jerry E .Morrison Sept. 16, 1969 Filed Sept.16, 1966 United States Patent 0 3,466,770 SELF-PROPELLED EARTHEXCAVATING AND LEVELING APPARATUS Frank W. Morrison, 784 NE. 14th St.,Rte. 1, and Jerry E. Morrison, Rte. 1, both of The Dalles, Oreg. 97058Filed Sept. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 579,869 Int. Cl. E02f 3/86; B66c 23/54US. Cl. 37--117.5 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pair of endlesstracks is mounted one about each of a pair of laterally spaced elongatedplates secured to a vehicle frame extension and driven by separatehydraulic motors coupled to drive sprockets at one end of each plate.The vehicle frame supports a backhoe unit pivotable about the axis of avertical post by a cable reeved intermediate its ends about a pulley onthe post and connected at its opposite ends to a pair of extensiblehydraulic cylinders mounted horizontally on the frame. The frame alsosupports a dozer blade for vertical adjustment about a horizontal axisdisposed transversely of the frame, for rotational adjustment about ahorizontal axis disposed longitudinally of the frame and for rotationaladjustment about a vertical axis.

This invention pertains to self-propelled earth excavating and levelingapparatus of miniature size, useful particularly in making forestservice and other trails in rugged, inaccessible areas.

It is the general object of the present invention to provideself-propelled earth excavating and leveling apparatus which is small insize, i.e., about 2 feet wide and 4 feet long, exclusive of its boomstructure; highly maneuverable; and easily disassemblable andreassemblable into component parts transportable by helicopter orotherwise to remote regions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide earth-workingapparatus which is highly versatile in its application to digging,trenching, rock-removing, stump pulling, soil-loosening andearth-leveling operations.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision ofearth-working apparatus which, though small in size, is rugged inconstruction and hence well suited to its preferred application in trailmaking and ditch digging in rugged geographic areas.

It is another object of the present invention to provide earth-workingapparatus which is versatile in its application to various earth-workingfunctions, yet simple in construction and reliable in operation.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision ofearth-working apparatus which is all hy draulic in its operation, beingfree from mechanical clutches and transmissions, and gear boxes.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision oftrack driven, earth-working apparatus equipped with a backhoe unit whichis positionable easily and accurately to various working angles ofinclination and tilt; and with tracks which are self-cleaning.

The manner in which the foregoing and other objects of this inventionare accomplished will be apparent from the accompanying specificationand claims, considered together with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of the herein described excavating,trenching and leveling apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a detail view in plan of a dozer blade unit included in theapparatus, illustrating its horizontal adjustment, taken along line 22of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation, partly in section, taken along line 3-3of FIG. 2, illustrating the vertical adjustment of the dozer blade unit;

3,466,770 Patented Sept. 16,, 1969 FIG. 4 is a plan detail view, partlyin section, taken along line 44 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the driveemployed for swinging the boom of the backhoe unit included in theapparatus;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary detail view in elevation of the 'boom drive ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a detail view in section taken along line 66 of FIG. 1illustrating the hydraulic direct drive for driving a single track ofthe apparatus and also for cleaning the same automatically; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the integrated hydrauliccircuit employed in driving the apparatus and its various operatingunits.

Generally stated, the self-propelled excavating and earth levelingapparatus of our invention includes a central frame having a central,longitudinally-arranged, downwardly directed, frame extension. A pair ofdriving track assemblies are positioned one on each side of the frameextension and detachably secured thereto. A pair of hydraulic motors areconnected separately one to each of the track assemblies for independentdirect driving of the same.

A backhoe unit and a dozer blade unit are mounted forwardly of the bodyof the apparatus. These also are hydraulically driven and are adjustableas required for their eflicient, versatile operation.

The entire apparatus, exclusive of the backhoe and dozer blade units,measure only about 2 x 4 feet. Also, it is disassemblable into parts ofsmall size which are transported easily by air. The apparatus thus isparticularly well suited for application as a self-propelledearthworking unit for trenching, trail making and general earthworkingoperations in rugged, inaccessible areas.

Considering the foregoing in greater detail and with particularreference to the drawings:

THE TRACK DRIVE As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus is supported on asmall but rugged frame, indicated generally at 10. A centrallongitudinal extension 12 extends downwardly to a predetermined groundclearance. An operators seat 14 is mgunted on the frame, as is agasoline engine indicated at 1 Frame extension 12 supports independentlydriven endless track assemblies, the construction of which is shownparticularly in FIGS. 1 and 6.

Each track assembly includes a pair of spaced, parallel, heavy duty sideplates, one of which is indicated at 18. The side plates are bolteddemountably to frame extension 12 by means of bolts 20. The side platesalso mount bearings 22 which in turn support the shafts of track supportwheels 24.

The track, indicated generally at 26, supported on the Wheels preferablyis of the endless conveyor type being constituted of overlapped pairs ofchain links 28 pinned together and supporting transversely arrangedangle iron cleats 30.

The tracks are driven by hydraulic motors 32, 33, FIG. 6, each bolted tothe inner one of a pair of spaced, rearwardly extending arms 34, whichin turn are fastened one to each of track side plates 18.

The shaft of the motor penetrates both arms. Its outer end is supportedin a bearing 38.

Motor shaft 36 mounts a sprocket 40 which meshes with track chain 26. Itwill be apparent that in so doing the teeth of the sprocket enter thespaces between the cross pins holding together overlapped chain links28, thus rendering the track self-cleaning by pushing out stones andaccumulations of mud which may have lodged in the spaces.

3 THE BACKHOE UNIT The construction of the backhoe unit mounted on thedriving assembly above described also is illustrated in FIG. 1.

The forward end of frame mounts a pair of vertically spaced bearings 50.The ends of a heavy vertical post 52 are journaled in the bearings. Apair of forwardly extending plates 54 is welded to the post.

A boom 56 is pivoted to plates 54 at 58. A dipper stick 60 is pivoted tothe outer end of boom 56 at pivot point 62. A bucket 64 is pivoted tothe outer end of the dipper stick by means of pivot pin 66.

The vertical angle of the boom is adjusted by means of a hydrauliccylinder 68, the case of which is pivoted to plates 54 by means of pivotpin and the piston rod of which is pivoted to an intermediate segment ofboom 56 by pivot pin 72.

Angular movement of dip stick 60 relative to boom 56 is accomplished bymeans of double acting cylinder 73 interconnecting these two elements ofthe apparatus through pivotal mountings.

Vertical adjustment of the bucket is secured by means of a secondhydraulic cylinder 74, the case of which is pivoted to an extension ofdipper stick 60 by pivot pin 76 and the piston rod of which is pivotedto the bucket by pivot pin 78.

Swinging adjustment of the backhoe is accomplished by means of a noveldrive, the construction of which is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5.

A pair of hydraulic cylinders 80 are mounted in longitudinallyextending, parallel spaced relation on frame 10. The piston rods of thecylinders extend forwardly. Each mounts a hollow cable retainer 82.

The ends of a cable 84 are bent around pear-shaped plugs 86 dimensionedto fit within the tapered ends of cable retainers 82, thus frictionallyretaining the cable ends when the cable is under stress.

Cable 84 is reeved around a pulley 88 which in turn is keyed to post 52.It will be noted from FIGS. 4 and 5 that pulley 88 is provided with anannular groove 90 designed frictionally to receive the cable.

The core of the pulley also is provided with a marginal angledpassageway 92 dimensioned to receive a segment of the cable infrictional, releasable locking engagement. A transverse aperture 94communicates with the passageway.

Thus in setting up the drive for swinging the backhoe, cable 84 may bereeved around pulley 88 and threaded through passageway 92, usingtransverse aperture 94 to assist in the threading operation. The ends ofthe cable direction. A positive, trouble-free drive independent of gearsor other complicated linkages thus is provided.

THE DOZER BLADE UNIT The construction of the dozer blade unit which is acomponent of the herein described assembly is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2and 3.

Extension plates 12 mount between them a pair of forwardly extendingparallel bars 100. The inner ends of bars are pivoted to the plateextensions by means of pivot pins 102. The outer ends of bars 100 arefixed to an angular horizontal plate 104, arranged with the apex of theangle extending forwardly.

Arms 100 and hence the dozer blade unit in its entirety are reciprocatedbetween their lifted and depressed positions by means of a verticallyarranged pneumatic cylinder 105, the case of which is pivoted to theframe of the apparatus at 107 and the piston rod of which is pivotallyconnected to arms 100 at 109.

The apex of plate 104 mounts a forwardly extending bearing 106 having avertically directed bearing opening. A heavy horizontal bar 108 islocated forwardly of bearing 106. It mounts a pair of vertically spaced,rearwardly extending, perforated tabs 110. A pivot bolt 112 extendsthrough the tabs and through the bearing opening, thus mounting the barpivotally in a horizontal plane.

A horizontal pivot pin 114 is mounted on, and extends forwardly from,bar 108. It penetrates a central opening in the back of an angled dozerblade 116, thus mounting the same pivotally in a vertical plane.

Means thus are provided for angling and tilting the blade as requiredfor various applications. Means further are provided for locking theblade releasably in a desired position of angle or tilt. Such means areshown particularly in FIG. 2.

Forwardly projecting angled plate 104 mounts along its outer faces amatching pair of perforated plates 120, each having, in the illustratedform of the invention, a series of three aligned openings 122.Horizontal bar 108 mounts at each of its ends vertically spaced pairs ofperforated tabs 124.

The forward ends of connecting rods 126 pivotally are connected betweenone or the other of tab pairs 124 by means of pivot bolts 128. Therearward ends of connecting rods 126 releasably are fastened in aselected one of openings 122 by means of pivot bolts 130.

Thus by mounting connecting rods 126 in selected ones of openings 122,the desired blade angle may be obtained.

The desired angle of blade tilt may be obtained by adjusting a pair ofadjustment screws 132 each of which is threaded through one of a pair ofvertically threaded tabs 134 mounted on and extending rearwardly fromthe upper margin of the dozer blade. As is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3,the bearing ends of the adjustment screws bear against the upper surfaceof bar 108. Their adjustment relative to each other accordingly tiltsthe blade clockwise or counterclockwise about blade mounting pin 114.

THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM The construction and mode of operation of theintegrated hydraulic drive and control system is shown schematically inFIG. 7.

The shaft of gasoline engine 16 mounts a pair of drive sprockets 142,143. Sprocket 142 is connected through a chain 144 to a sprocket 146which drives first hydraulic pump 148. Sprocket 143 is connected througha chain 150 which meshes with a sprocket 152 driving a second hydraulicpump 154. Pump 148 draws from reservoir 156 via filter 158 and conduit160. Pump 154 draws also from reservoir 156, but through filter 162 andconduit 164.

Pumps 148, 154 drive the various operating units of the assemblyincluding motors 32, 33 attached independently to the respective tracksof the apparatus.

Thus hydraulic fluid under pressure normally cycles through conduit 166,conduit 168, throttle valve 170, conduit 172 and thence via conduit 174back to reservoir 156.

This circuit also includes a branch conduit 176 having a relief valve178 set for example at 1500 pounds, and designed to cycle fluid back toreservoir 156 via conduit 180 by-passing throttle valve and the otherelements of the circuit in the inadvertent circumstance that thepressure in the system rises above the indicated level due to strikingan immovable object with one of the working units of the apparatus.

Throttle valve 170 is a four-way, open-center valve which controls theoperation of left hand track drive motor 32. It circulates fluid underpressure to the motor via infeed conduit 182 and outfeed conduit 184.

Companion track drive motor 33 is driven independently by pump 154.

The latter pump passes hydraulic fluid under pressure through conduit188 and conduit 190 to throttle valve 192. Thence the fluid traversesconduit 194 and enters a manifold 196. The fluid leaves the manifold viaconduit 198, which includes filter 200, and returns to reservoir 156 viaconduit 180.

Like the previously described circuit, this circuit also includes ashunt circuit containing conduit 202 and relief valve 204. The lattervalve may be set at a suitable level. Its function is to return thefluid to reservoir 156 in the event that through some inadvertencepressure in the system rises to a dangerous level, e.g., above 1500p.s.i.

Like throttle valve 170, throttle valve 192 may be a four-wayopen-center valve which serves to pass hydraulic fluid under pressure toright hand track drive motor 33. Thus it passes the fluid through motorinfeed conduit 208 and motor outfeed conduit 210, driving motor 33 atthe desired speed and completely independently of track motor 32. Thehydraulic fluid under pressure passed into manifold 196 by valve 192serves to drive the earth-working elements of the apparatus, i.e., thebackhoe and dozer blade units.

To this end manifold 196 supplies a bank of five independent spoolvalves.

The first valve, indicated at 211, controls the up and down motion ofthe blade by actuation of cylinder 105. This cylinder alternates theblade between its elevated and lowered positions upon circulation offluid through infeed line 212 and outfeed line 214.

The second valve, valve 216, energizes single acting cylinders 80 bymeans of which the backhoe is swung about vertical shaft 52.

Thus actuation of the valve sends fluid through conduit 218, check valve220, pressure relief valve 222, set for example at 800 p.s.i., andthrough line 174 back to the reservoir. It further circulates fluidunder pressure through conduit 224to right hand single acting cylinder80, actuating it in the appropriate direction.

contemporaneously, valve 216 operates to circulate fluid appropriatelythrough a conduit 226 including a throttle valve 228 which, likethrottle valve 220, is set at a relatively low pressure of about 800p.s.i. Thence the fluid under pressure is fed to a common relief valve222 and passes via conduit 174 into reservoir 156.

Alternatively, depending upon the setting of valve 216, fluid underpressure may pass through conduit 230 behind the piston of left handsingle acting cylinder 80, thus swinging the backhoe in the desireddirection.

The third valve, valve 240, controls the action of double actingcylinder 68 which in turn controls the vertical movement of boom 56.Fluid under pressure is fed to one side or the other of the doubleacting cylinder via conduits 242, 244, thus actuating the boom.

Valve 246, the fourth valve, controls the movement of double actingcylinder 73 which in turn regulates the angular position of dip stick 60relative to boom 56. Hydraulic fluid under pressure is circulated to oneside or the other of the cylinder via conduits 248, 250, respectively.

Valve 252 is the fifth valve. It operates double acting cylinder 74which works bucket 64. In this case fluid under pressure passes into thecylinder via one or the other of conduits 254, 256, depending upon thevalve setting.

As noted above, all of the foregoing elements of the apparatus areminiaturized to provide a total assembly which, exclusive of the boomand dozer blade, may measure only 2 feet wide by 4 feet long. Theapparatus nevertheless is rugged in its construction and versatile inits operation in that it performs efiiciently the various operations towhich earth moving apparatus is suited, viz., trenching, clearing,sloping banks, pulling stumps, moving boulders, leveling ground, etc.

The direct independent drive of the tracks makes the apparatus highlymaneuverable. The integrated hydraulic system makes the apparatussensitive to accurate control.

Freedom from clutches, transmission assemblies, and other gear boxesspells out freedom from mechanical problems. Divisibility of theapparatus into five or more easily assemblable parts makes the apparatusWell suited for transportation to remote places by helicopter. This,considered together with its other features, outlined above, renders theapparatus ideally suited for carrying on the operations necessary fortrail making in national forests, private timber lands and other remoteregions.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention herein shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of our invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. Self-propelled earth excavating and leveling apparatus comprising (a)a frame including a central, longitudinal, downwardly directed frameextension,

(b) a pair of driving track assemblies positioned one on each side ofthe frame extension and each comprising a central plate, a plurality ofwheels journaled at spaced intervals longitudinally of the plate withtheir uppermost portions extending above the upper edge of the centralplate, and an endless lug-equipped chain mounted on the plate in contactwith the wheels,

(c) securing means for securing the track assemblies to the frameextension,

(d) a pair of rotary hydraulic track drive motors separately associatedone with each of the track assemblies for independently driving thesame, each motor being mounted on the plate adjacent one end of thelatter, each motor having a driven sprocket meshing with the associatedchain,

(e) backhoe means pivoted to the frame, and

(f) backhoe motor means connected to the backhoe means for operationthereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting means for pivoting thebackhoe means to the frame comprises a vertical post journaled to theframe, and a pulley fixed to the vertical post; and wherein the backhoemotor means comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders mounted in spaced,horizontal relation on the frame longitudinally thereof, adjacent andsubstantially in the horizontal plane of the pulley, and a flexiblecable reeved about the pulley and having its respective ends attached tothe piston rods of the cylinders for securing swinging motion of thebackhoe means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the pulley has a core provided withan angled passageway dimensioned to receive a segment of the reevedportion of the cable, thereby preventing slippage of the cable about thepulley.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 including dozer blade means comprising (a) aforwardly extending arm,

(b) pivot means pivoting the rearward end of the arm to the frame,

(0) a dozer blade attached in operative position to the forward end ofthe arm,

(d) a vertically arranged fluid-operated cylinder pivotallyinterconnecting the frame of the arm for raising and lowering the blade,and

(e) means for angling the blade, comprising an angled plate mounted onthe forward end of the arm with the apex of the angle extendingforwardly, a vertical bearing on the apex of the plate, a horizontal barhaving centrally therethrough bearings designed to overlap the bearingon the plate, pivot pin means extending through the bearings andpivoting the bar to the plate, a pin extending forwardly of the barcentrally thereof and pivotally mounting the blade thereon, andconnecting rod means interconnecting the bar and one of a plurality ofselected positions 7 on the angled plate for determining the angle ofthe blade. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 including dozer blade meanscomprising (a) a forwardly extending arm,

(b) pivot means pivoting the rearward end of the arm to the frame,

() a dozer blade attached in operative position to the forward end ofthe arm,

(d) a vertically arranged fluid-operated cylinder pivotallyinterconnecting the frame and the arm for raising and lowering theblade, and

(e) means for tilting the blade, comprising an angled plate mounted onthe forward end of the arm with the apex of the angle extendingforwardly, a vertical opening in the apex of the plate, a horizontal barhaving centrally therethrough openings designed to overlap the openingon the plate, pivot pin means extending through the openings andpivoting the bar to the plate, a mounting pin extending forwardly of thebar centrally thereof and pivotally mounting the blade, and a pair ofcooperating adjustment screws mounted on the blade one on each side ofthe forwardly extending mounting pin, the adjustment screws bearingagainst the bar for determining the tilt of the blade.

6. Self-propelled earth excavating and leveling apparatus comprising (a)a frame including a central, longitudinal, downwardly directed frameextension,

(b) a pair of driving track assemblies positioned one on each side ofthe frame extension,

(c) securing means for securing the track assemblies to the frameextension,

(d) a pair of track drive motor means separately connected one to eachof the track assemblies for independently driving the same,

(e) backhoe means pivoted to the frame,

(f) backhoe motor means connected to the backhoe means for operationthereof,

(g) dozer blade means comprising a forwardly extending arm, pivot meanspivoting the rearward end of the arm to the frame, a dozer bladeattached in operative position to the forward end of the arm, avertically arranged fluid-operated cylinder pivotally interconnectingthe frame and the arm for raising and lowering the blade, and

(h) means for angling the dozer blade, comprising an angled platemounted on the forward end of the arm with the apex of the angleextending forwardly, a vertical bearing on the apex of the plate, ahorizontal bar having centrally therethrough bearings designed tooverlap the bearing on the plate, pivot pin means extending through thebearings and pivoting the bar to the plate, a pin extending forwardly ofthe bar centrally thereof and pivotally mounting the blade thereon, andconnecting rod means interconnecting the bar and one of a plurality ofselected 8 positions on the angled plate for determining the angle ofthe blade. 7. Self-propelled earth excavating and leveling apparatuscomprising (a) a frame including a central, longitudinal, downwardlydirected frame extension,

(b) a pair of driving track assemblies positioned one on each side ofthe frame extension,

(c) securing means for securing the track assemblies to the frameextension,

(d) a pair of track drive motor means separately connected one to eachof the track assemblies for independently driving the same,

(e) backhoe means pivoted to the frame,

(f) backhoe motor means connected to the backhoe means for operationthereof,

(g) dozer blade means comprising a forwardly extending arm, pivot meanspivoting the rearward end of the arm to the frame, a dozer bladeattached in operative position to the forward end of the arm, avertically arranged fluid-operated cylinder pivotally interconnectingthe frame and the arm for raising and lowering the blade, and

(h) means for tilting the blade comprising an angled plate mounted onthe forward end of the arm with the apex of the angle extendingforwardly, a ver-.

tical opening on the apex of the plate, a horizontal bar havingcentrally therethrough openings designed to overlap the opening on theplate, pivot pin means extending through the openings and pivoting thebar to the plate, a mounting pin extending forwardly of the barcentrally thereof and pivotally mounting the blade, and a pair ofcooperating adjustment screws mounted on the blade, one on each side ofthe forwardly extending mounting pin, the adjustment screws bearingagainst the bar for determining the tilt of the blade.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,660,816 12/1953 Maxwell 37-117.5 2,846,094 8/ 1958 Pilch 3.7-103 2,858,626 11/1958 Toulmin 37117.52,927,706 3/1960 Mork 214-138 3,042,233 7/ 1962 Wills 214-138 3,071,2651/1963 Andre et a1 37-103 3,092,919 6/1963 Reynolds et a1. 37-1175 XR3,099,098 7/ 1963 Davis 3,7-86 3,172,552 3/1965 Metailler 214-1383,238,648 3/1966 Cobb et a1. 37117.5 XR

FOREIGN PATENTS 627,203 8/ 1949 England. 1,258,415 3/ 1961 France.

EDGAR S. BURR, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

